Doberman ‘Penny’ Makes Westminster History, Ending a 37-Year Best in Show Drought

| February 6, 2026 | Entertainment | No Comments

A historic night unfolded at Madison Square Garden as Penny the Doberman Pinscher captured Best in Show at the 2026 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, stunning the crowd and rewriting the record books.

The 4-year-old Doberman triumphed on Tuesday, Feb. 3, rising above more than 3,000 elite dogs from around the world to claim the sport’s most prestigious title. The victory marked a milestone moment not only for the breed, but for Westminster itself, which celebrated its 150th anniversary this year.

A Full-Circle Westminster Moment

Penny’s win carried an extraordinary layer of history. Her handler, Andy Linton, last led a Doberman to a Westminster Best in Show victory back in 1989 — a 37-year gap that had come to be known among fans as an unofficial “Doberman curse.”

That winning dog, Indy, made history decades ago. Now, Penny has done it again, reuniting Linton with the breed he helped elevate to legendary status.

“It’s incredibly special,” observers noted, calling the moment a rare example of true Westminster symmetry — past and present colliding under the Garden lights.

A Landmark Year for Westminster

The 2026 competition drew dogs from all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and 17 additional countries, representing 202 recognized breeds. As the second-longest continuously running sporting event in the United States, Westminster’s sesquicentennial only heightened the significance of Penny’s win.

Known in the show world as GCHP CH Connquest Best Of Both Worlds, Penny first secured Best in Group (Working Group) before advancing to the final round.

An Elite Best in Show Lineup

In the Best in Show ring, Penny faced six other group winners:

  • Zaida, Afghan Hound (Hound Group)

  • Cookie, Maltese (Toy Group)

  • JJ, Lhasa Apso (Non-Sporting Group)

  • Graham, Old English Sheepdog (Herding Group)

  • Cota, Chesapeake Bay Retriever (Sporting Group)

  • Wager, Smooth Fox Terrier (Terrier Group)

Judge David Fitzpatrick praised the finalists, calling the lineup one that would “go down in history” for its overall quality and presentation.

When the final decision was announced, the arena erupted.

Runner-Up Honors

Cota, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, earned Reserve Best in Show, the competition’s runner-up honor, capping off a memorable night for sporting dog enthusiasts.

A Defining Westminster Win

For Doberman fans, Penny’s victory represents more than a trophy. It ends decades of waiting, revives a storied legacy, and delivers one of the most emotionally charged moments in modern Westminster history.

As the crowd rose to its feet at Madison Square Garden, one thing was clear:
Penny didn’t just win — she made history.